She sobers, squeezing my hand. I wish I could squeeze it back. The only time I get these damn cuffs off is when I hobble to the bathroom. Thank god I can do that now, at least. I hated the catheter.
“Is Rosa coming today?” I ask hopefully, and she shakes her head.
“She’s staying with Scott and Derek today,” she says, with no real explanation.
She thinks they’re going to discharge me today. She thinks this is our last day together.
My throat feels tight, but I’ve accepted my fate. I’ve accepted that I’m going to go away, possibly for a long time. That my empire is crumbling under me. They’ll throw the book at me and Nico. Diego will probably get off with a slap on the wrist, but he’s no leader. He doesn’t want it, and honestly, I’m glad it’s over.
The power will go back to Father, and when he passes from the cancer eating away at his body, the Rossis will be no more.
I can’t even bring myself to be sad about it. I have plenty of money in offshore accounts, plenty to disappear after I make bail, but I won’t do it. I want to be as close to Rosa and Sophia as I can be. All the things that used to matter to me—the lifestyle, the money, the violence—none of it means anything without them.
A light knock on the door startles Sophia and she jumps. She’s been a little nervous lately, but I can’t blame her, with all she’s been through.
Diego pops his head in. His face is turning purple and black in places, but his eye is less swollen and he has a smile on his face.
“They couldn’t kill you after all,Caputo?”
I grin up at him. “They couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn.”
Sophia chuckles and stands up slowly. “I’ll give you guys a few minutes.”
She walks out without another word, and I watch the door where she left, frowning.
“She seems to be in low spirits,” Diego points out, walking closer. “Probably because they have you cuffed up.”
“Oh, this?” I rattle the handcuffs. “I’ve been in these from day one. I think she’s upset because I’m going to be discharged soon.”
He nods slowly. “What’s the play, boss?”
I look up at him with a slight smile. “No play.”
Diego’s eyes widen. “What do you mean, no play? There’s plenty of ways out of this.”
“Maybe, but I don’t want any of them.”
“What are youtalkingabout?”
“Did you know I have a daughter?” I chirp, and Diego stares at me, his mouth open.
“A daughter? What the fuck?”
“Rosa Elena,” I say happily. “She turns three in a couple months.”
“Jesus Christ,Caputo, I don’t know what to say.”
“Say congratulations.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Congratulations?”
I grin. “Thank you. She’s beautiful. Sophia can show you pictures.”
Pictures are all I’m going to get of my little girl from here on out. The thought sobers me, but nothing can bring me down. I have a family. A real family.
“Luca…you can’t just give up.”
“I’m not giving up. I have a family now, Diego. A real one. And nothing and nobody is going to take that away from me.”
